Liverpool battles Man Utd and Arsenal for transfer target with Jurgen Klopp link

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Liverpool is in the process of overhauling its defense and a center-back who is part of the Red Bull group that Jurgen Klopp works for could be targetedCastello Lukeba of RB Leipzig(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto)Liverpool is reportedly set to battle Manchester United and Arsenal for RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba.Lukeba, 23, is said to be interested in a move to the Premier League, but his preferred destination in England will ultimately depend on which project appeals to him the most.Sport Witness reports that Lukeba is focused on picking the club that will best support his development as a player.All three clubs would have no problem affording Lukeba, so the decision on his next move could come down to where the player thinks the next step of his development would be best served.READ MORE: Bayern Munich sends blunt Michael Olise warning to Liverpool after Mohamed Salah newsREAD MORE: Xabi Alonso 'ready to accept' Liverpool job as Michael Edwards contact emergesAlthough United and Arsenal are reportedly interested in Lukeba, it is Liverpool that will probably have the most pressing need to sign a new center-back during the summer transfer window.United has several center-backs already in Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, and Ayden Heaven, while Arsenal has Gabriel, William Saliba, Piero Hincapie, and Cristhian Mosquera, as well as Ben White.Liverpool, meanwhile, is in the midst of an overhaul in the center of defense, amid the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate.Van Dijk, who turns 35 in July, is out of contract next year, while Gomez's deal also expires in 2027, and he could be moved on in the summer.Konate, meanwhile, is set to become a free agent this summer as things stand, and has repeatedly been linked with a move to Real Madrid.Ibrahima Konate could leave Liverpool as a free agent(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)Liverpool remains in talks with Konate over a possible contract extension at Anfield, and Arne Slot said last month that he is keen for the Frenchman to stay."We are in talks with him so that tells you what we want," Slot said. "It’s clear we would like him to stay but negotiations are ongoing so let’s see where that ends.

We wouldn’t be in negotiations if we didn’t want him to stay."Liverpool has taken steps to address its uncertain defensive situation over the last two transfer windows, signing young defenders in Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet.Liverpool acquired Leoni last summer and agreed a deal to sign Jacquet in January, with the Frenchman due to make the move to Merseyside this summer.Liverpool was interested in signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace last summer but was not willing to match Manchester City's offer for the England international during the January transfer window.